GUELPH, Ont. – The Gryphons men's basketball team split a weekend doubleheader at home, on the final week of regular season action before the holiday break, with Guelph coming away with an overtime win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday (Nov. 29) followed by a tough loss over the York Lions on Saturday (Nov. 30). The Gryphons head into the break with a 2-9 record in the OUA West standings. The Gryphons will resume play in the new year when they take on the McMaster Maurders on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 to tip off the second half of the 2024-25 OUA regular season.
Game 1 | Friday, November 29 vs Ontario Tech Ridgebacks
Gryphons 82 – Ridgebacks 76 (Overtime)
The Gryphons came away with their second win on the season following a thrilling 82-76 overtime win over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday night (Nov. 29) from the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre. It was a tight matchup throughout the night between the two teams. With the Ridgebacks leading 71-70 with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter,
Eric Armstrong would be fouled with seven seconds left with a chance to put the hosts in front. Armstong, the third year forward missed his first throw attempt before making his second to tie up the game. The Gryphon defence would hold on the final possession in regulation, forcing the off balance shot attempt from Zubair Seyed that miss to send the game to overtime. Momentum of overtime would flip with two minutes left in the extra frame when first year guard
Isaiah Odle-Clarke came up with the biggest play of the game. Odle-Clarke anticipated and jumped the pass as he took it back the other way for the layup to give the hosts a 75-74 lead. Guelph closed out the final two minutes of OT on a 9-2 run to seal the victory.
Eric Armstrong led all scorers with 25 points on 8-13 shooting from the field to go along with his 9 rebounds and
Raef Wykes was a main contributor for the team off the bench scoring 16 points with 9 rebounds.
Game 2 – Saturday, November 30 vs York Lions
Gryphons 84 – Lions 90
Following their overtime win over the Ridgebacks on the previous night, the Gryphons returned to floor at the Guelph Gryphons Athletic Centre as they made a late rally but were unable to overcome a 13-3 Lions run in the fourth quarter in the loss. Just like the game against Ontario Tech, it was tight back-and-forth matchup throughout the game with not much separating either side. With Guelph trailing 75-74 midway through the fourth quarter, the Lions went on a 13-3 run that saw Guelph's one point deficit turn into a 10-point hole. The Gryphons would make a run cutting the deficit down to 87-84 after a basket from
Shaathon Walker, with under a minute left in the game. The Gryphons following the basket regained possession in the backcourt following the steal with a chance to tie it but Walker was unable to make a tough contested layup which ended the hopes of a late comeback. The Lions would make two free throws to make it a two possession game with 25 seconds remaining to put the game away for the visitors.
Amare Hamilton led all scorers with a game high 22 points followed by
Eric Armstrong's 16 points.
The Gryphons return to OUA action on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 when they host the McMaster Marauders (1-10).
